Trial Of RivCo Ex-Deputy Accused of Abduction, Harassment: Final Witnesses Called

INDIO, CA — The final witness will be called Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning in the trial of an ex-Riverside County sheriff's deputy accused of abusing his authority and committing felonies while off-duty, including kidnapping and possessing child pornography.

Testimony in Alexander Ravy Vanny's trial started two weeks ago, and the defense was expected to rest no later than Wednesday morning, culminating in closing arguments at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Vanny, 34, of Hemet, was arrested last year and charged with kidnapping, stalking, possession of child porn, unauthorized use of protected electronic data, maliciously destroying a wireless device, witness intimidation, illicit eavesdropping, using a concealed camera to invade privacy, illegal use of a tracking device, interference with a traffic control device and possession of a firearm in violation of a protective order, with a sentence-enhancing allegation of perpetrating a felony while on bail.

He's being held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility.

In his opening statement last month, Deputy District Attorney Jess Walsh recounted the alleged offenses involving the two principal victims, a former sheriff's Explorer scout identified only as "Leslie," and the defendant's one-time live-in girlfriend, a mother of two identified as "Madeline."

In the latter case, Vanny became obsessive, the prosecutor alleged, unable to cope with their breakup in the summer of 2024.

After she went on a date, the then-lawman secretly followed her and the man, whose identity wasn't disclosed, waiting until they were inside her Menifee residence, then allegedly setting up an audio device outside her bedroom window to record the sounds of her and the other party engaging in intercourse, prosecutors said. After waiting a few moments, Vanny allegedly forced his way into the apartment and challenged the man to a fight.

Court papers alleged that when Madeline attempted to use her mobile phone to call 911, the defendant physically took it and damaged it.

Walsh alleged Vanny carried around an unlicensed infrared device in his Ford Explorer that enabled him to trigger changes to traffic lights, while tailing his ex-girlfriend or her beaus.

The prosecutor said Vanny installed hidden cameras throughout Madeline's apartment, operated wirelessly, enabling him to record the victim's roommate, identified only as "Michelle," going in and out of the shower nude.

Among the most serious allegations was Vanny's following Madeline to Chappies Bar in Hemet and demanding that she "leave and come home with him," the prosecution said.

When the woman rejected him, Vanny "forcibly threw her into his truck," according to court documents.

"The defendant then drove her, without her consent, to his home ... some 17 miles and 30 minutes (away)," the prosecution stated.

She was ultimately able to get away from him unharmed, filing a restraining order. In defiance of that order, Vanny continued to carry around his personal firearm, Walsh alleged.

He further alleged that the deputy stuck "tracking devices" onto her car so he could monitor her travels at all times.

The defendant became sexually involved with 18-year-old Leslie, who looked upon him as a mentor, regularly exchanging texts with him, according to the prosecution.

Vanny procured video images of two teenagers engaging in sexual activity during a visit to an Orange County theme park and kept the matter, which was part of an investigation, on his personal mobile phone, Walsh alleged, intending to show it to Leslie.

Vanny's attorney, Quinton Swanson, told jurors that most of his client's troubles stemmed from a difficult relationship with Madeline.

"People live together without being married," he said. "Sometimes they cheat on each other. Life is complicated."

Swanson underscored that Leslie was not an underage female, and though the relationship between her and Vanny might have been inappropriate, it wasn't illegal. The attorney acknowledged the defendant "cut corners" in doing his job, but he said the entire bar episode surrounding Madeline was misconstrued.

The defendant was accustomed to being her "designated driver" when she went out for drinks, and on the November night in question, he was acting in that vein, not kidnapping her, according to the defense.

Vanny was first arrested on June 22, 2024, and booked into the Banning jail but posted a $1 million bond and was released. He was initially placed on paid administrative leave, but within a few months, he was fired from the department.

While on bail, Vanny was separately charged in connection with a slate of new alleged offenses.

He had been a sworn peace officer since he was hired by the sheriff's department in 2016.